Tours & Activities in Nagano

Discover two of the top attractions on a day trip in Nagano, Zenko-ji Temple and Snow Monkey Park. Watch the monkeys playing and then finish the day with a delicious lunch, and sake tasting.

This value-packed trip with a government-licensed and experienced multilingual tour guide is a fantastic and efficient way toexplore both of the ancient post towns! You can travel between Magome and Tsumago by infrequent direct bus. Nakasendo was one of the two highways during the Edo period connecting Tokyo with Kyoto, running through the Kiso Valley. Travelers at that time walked along the highway, stopping at "post towns" for rest. Some of those post towns have been well preserved and show tourists today exactly what Japan was like hundreds of years ago. Stunning forests, beautiful villages and traditions, we would love to recommend it to everyone interested in Japanese nature and history. This private tour is a walking day tour. A private vehicle is not included. Public transportation or local taxis may be used. Exact transportation costs can be discussed with the guide after a reservation is finalized. Please have Japanese Yen on hand for your transportation costs.

Embark on a journey to Kyoto's best-kept secrets on a day trip. Witness one of Japan's 3 scenic views at Amanohashidate, enjoy an outdoor foot onsen, uncover the charm of Ine Bay, and feed seagulls.

Walking along the 400-year-old lined cedar trees and walking on the frozen lake experience are special experiences that can only be found here. Let's explore the winter of Togakushi, where mountain ascetic have been practicing the mountain worship since ancient times. The experience of walking along a row of 400-year-old cedar trees and a frozen lake is a special experience that cannot be found anywhere else. Let's explore the winter of Togakushi, where the trainees have practiced rigorously since ancient times, wearing snowshoes!

Visit the "Roof of Japan" and marvel at the snow walls of the Tateyama-Kurobe Alpine Route, one of Japan’s most iconic and unique experiences.

Sitting just outside Nagano City, the forests of Togakushi are home to some of Japan’s most important Shinto shrines, sacred places that are linked to the myths of the creation of Japan itself, and the mountain refuge of the Togakure Ninja. This engaging tour gives insight into the daily lives of the ninja, taking you along short sections of the pilgrimage trails of the ‘Togakushi Kodo,’ and deep into culture, myth, and legend. This tour includes a hands-on soba making experience, visits to two of the most important Shinto shrines, the Togakushi Ninja Museum, and ends with a stroll through the grand avenue of giant cedar trees.

Experience Nagano's natural and spiritual wonders on our Snow Monkey Park and Zenkoji Temple Tour. Join us for an unforgettable experience & comfortable rides

With over 15,000 individual fireworks lighting-up the crisp autumn sky, Nagano’s annual Ebisu-ko Fireworks Festival attracts over 400,000 people to the city to watch this amazing spectacle. As Japan’s largest and most beautiful autumn fireworks display, this tour includes reserved seating at the event with a visit to Nagano’s world-famous Snow Monkey Park – home to the only troop of monkeys in the world known to bathe in hot springs – and late lunch at one of the region’s best restaurants. This once a year tour is one of our most popular and is sure to leave a lasting impression long after the fireworks fade away!

Snow Monkey Park is famous for its wild Japanese macaques, commonly known as snow monkeys. These monkeys are known for their unique behavior of soaking in natural hot springs.

The city of Nagano is an intensely beautiful and historic part of Japan, only a stone’s throw away from the capital city of Tokyo. Nagano is a place of incredible Shinto and Buddhist history and home to one of Japan’s most iconic temple and shrine. While many of Japan’s cities lay claim to an identity of nature-meets-human-invention, that atmosphere can be felt in Nagano better than almost anywhere else in Japan. In this tour, your knowledgeable licensed local guide will accompany you on your journey features an historic districts and even ancient pilgrimages. Let us know what you would like to experience and we will customize your four-hours special tour that's best for you. Note*1: You will not be able to visit all the sights on the tour. You must choose 2 to 3 sights and inform your guide. Note*2: The National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter certification is issued by the Japanese government requires a good knowledge and understanding of Japanese culture and history.

This tour will take you up to the famous Snow Monkeys of Jigokudani where you can enjoy observing the monkeys in close proximity, followed by lunch and an afternoon enjoying the best cherry blossom spots in the region.

This tour takes you to the 'Roof of Japan' in summer and autumn to experience in the stunning and lush alpine landscape and one of Japan’s three sacred mountains, Mount Tate. Led by an English-speaking guide, you will be accompanied on every leg of your journey to the Roof of Japan and back down again.

Discover the spiritual wonders of the Zenko-ji Temple in Nagano and see the famous snow monkeys of Jigokudani Monkey Park on a private tour from Tokyo.

Combining a visit to Nagano’s world-famous Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park and evening exploration of the Zenko-ji Tomyo Lantern Festival, this enjoyable 1-day tour marks the midpoint of winter and illuminates Nagano’s ancient heart! Including an early dinner at Monzen Terrace Enya, this tour brings warmth and light into the midst of winter. This tour begins at Nagano Station, from where you will be transported to the Jigokudani Monkey Park before returning to Nagano City for a warming winter dinner at Monzen Terrace Enya, before being guided around the Zenko-ji Temple precinct in the beauty and tranquility of its annual Tomyo Lantern Festival. All led by a locally-based, English-speaking guide, this tour is a great way to experience the best of Nagano in winter.

Discover the famous snow monkeys of Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park on a private day tour from Tokyo. Visit the Zenko-ji Temple, explore the charming hot spring towns of Shibu Onsen and Yudanaka, and more

Walk in the footsteps of Japan’s most celebrated artist, Hokusai Katsushika, on this engaging one-day tour in the quaint, historic town of Obuse. Starting from Nagano Station, you will visit Hokusai’s original studio in Obuse, view his original work at the Obuse Hokusai-kan Museum and finally, view his last and largest remaining ‘in-situ’ artwork – the giant phoenix of Gansho-in Temple. Including plenty of time to explore Obuse for yourself, this tour is designed to introduce you to or further your understanding of Japan’s greatest artist in the very place he walked, worked and produced his final masterpiece.

This tour will take you to Matsumoto and its famous castle, one of the few remaining castles in Japan. On this guided day-tour, you'll also head high into the grandeur of the Northern Alps and to the alpine oasis of Kamikochi.

On this full day private tour, visit the city of Matsumoto with your tour guide. Enjoy the historical Matsumoto Castle, the unique streets of Nawate and Nakamachi and see Daio Wasasbi Farm, the largest wasabi farm in Japan in the tranquil Hotaka Town.

Breathe in the fresh mountain air on a guided hike of the Nakasendo Trail through rural countryside trails. Explore one of Japan's ancient highways with roundtrip transportation from Matsumoto.

Designed to provide guests with an intimate yet entertaining understanding of Nagano’s near-1,400-year-old Zenkoji temple, this half-day group tour combines a guided experience and a unique fire ceremony at the temple as well as a traditional tea ceremony, sampling of local dumplings, and even ‘sake’ tasting.

Snow Monkey tour featuring luxury vehicles like Vellfire, Land Cruiser, and Crown. Visit Zenko-ji Temple, Matsushiro Castle Ruins, Shibu Onsen, and Obuse. See snow monkeys at Jigokudani Monkey Park.

The departure location is selectable from the Iiyama Station, Nozawa Onsen, and Myoko Kogen. Starting with a visit to the famous Snow Monkey Park. Get up close and watch as the Snow Monkeys relax in the naturally occurring hot springs of Jigokudani. Thanks to the tour's early morning start you will see the Monkeys as exclusively as it gets! Following this, we will commute to Shibu Onsen town. The first place to stop is Tamamura Honten, a sake & beer brewery established in 1805 attached to a traditional art gallery. After that, our guide will offer you insight into the historic Onsen village. This village was once frequented by Samurai, poets, and travellers alike. Good fortune is said to come to those who bathe in each of the Onsen in town. This section is a walking tour, but if you would prefer to relax in an Onsen, you may do so for just ¥500! Finally, during green season we visit Kokugonji, a serene and beautifully maintained temple nestled in rural Nakano and founded in 825.

This tour includes a visit to [Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park] and [Togakushi Shrine] as a fixed itinerary, with the [lunch]

Immerse yourself in the world of ukiyo-e master Katsushika Hokusai in this walking tour in Obuse, Nagano. Visit two museums and a temple housing one of his paintings. Sake tasting and lunch included! -Take part in this walking tour of Obuse, a cozy town only 30 minutes by train from Nagano City, midway to the Jigokudani Monkey Park! -Immerse yourself in the fascinating world of Katsushika Hokusai, the master behind the famous woodblock painting The Great Wave! Visit the Hokusai Museum and the Kozan Takai Memorial Museum -Enjoy a sake-tasting experience at a local brewery and a scrumptious lunch at a trendy restaurant, and talk to local business owners to learn more about the town -Visit the Ganshoin Temple and see the 'Phoenix Glaring in All Directions', Hokusai’s depiction of a phoenix on the ceiling of a temple that seems to be staring at you no matter where you stand!

Visit Matsumoto Castle – one of the remaining original castles in Japan and a registered National Treasure – before heading to the post town of Narai-juku on a day trip from Nagano or Matsumoto.

Our snowshoeing tour at the snow-covered Togakushi Shrine is a unique experience available only during a three-month period each year. Togakushi Shrine is a renowned destination for tourists, but without joining a guided tour, navigating the area can be more challenging, and you may miss many attractions while increasing the risks associated with outdoor activities in nature. To ensure a smooth, enjoyable, and safe experience, we provide multilingual guiding for our clients. Hama and Yuki, both active registered nurses and UIMLA-certified hiking guides, are fluent in English, with Yuki also speaking Mandarin Chinese to assist native Chinese-speaking clients. We warmly welcome you to this winter wonderland for an unforgettable one-day experience that combines the beauty of authentic Japanese culture with the magic of the snow-covered landscape.

This tour takes you high into Japan’s tallest mountain range and into the shadow of one of Japan’s three sacred mountains, Mount Tate. Using the mountain transports of the Tateyama-Kurobe Alpine Route

Enjoy a premium small-group tour (typically 6-8 guests, maximum 12), blending nature, culture, and culinary delights. Start your day at Nagano Station and visit the iconic Snow Monkey Park, where you’ll walk through serene forests to see wild monkeys soaking in natural hot springs. Next, explore the charming town of Obuse, enjoying a delicious local lunch and a sake-tasting session at a historic brewery, sampling two premium sakes. Discover the Hokusai Museum, showcasing masterpieces by Japan’s ukiyo-e legend, and stroll through picturesque streets lined with traditional shops. For those seeking more, an optional visit to the historic Zenkoji Temple—one of Japan’s most revered Buddhist sites—is available. Walk in the footsteps of centuries of pilgrims and experience its serene atmosphere. With stunning scenery, cultural experiences, and insights from a knowledgeable guide, this tour offers a carefully curated day immersed in Nagano’s nature, art, history, and flavors.

Join a sake tasting & sake factory tour in Nagano. Try a range of sake, amazake, enjoy small dishes (like pickles & Nagano miso), & explore the streets of Nagano & the Zenkoji Temple area.

The class is held at the over 130 years old house. It was built in Machiya style and was used to be a house of Shoya, the biggest merchant in the city at that time. You can have a look around the unique inside. We will show you traditional life style such as Koto, a Japanese harp and an old sawing machine, which have been carefully stored for a long time in Kura, an old style storage in back of the house. The kitchen is made of Sake barrel lids came from a local brewery. It’s located on the second floor, you will see the beautiful Japanese garden. We provide aprons, so you don’t need to bring anything. We will give you a recipe that you can cook at your country. The class consists of some basics of Japanese cooking, such as how to make Dashi broth, and introduction of local made ingredients, which are not normally seen at regular supermarkets. We will explain for you to cook at home when you go back. Recipes are adjustable for vegetarians and vegans.

Togakushi Shrine is a historic Shinto shrine located in the mountains northwest of Nagano City. It is famous for its sacred cedar tree-lined path and consists of three main shrine areas:

Discover the sacred forests and ancient shrines of Togakushi on this guided walking tour from Nagano. Follow hidden mountain paths lined with towering cedars, visit important Shinto sites like Chusha and Okusha, and hear the legends of Japanese mythology from your local English-speaking guide. Along the way, take in stunning alpine scenery and enjoy a traditional lunch of handmade Togakushi soba noodles, a regional specialty. Depending on the season and conditions, the route may also include quiet forest trails, scenic ponds, or optional cultural stops.

Enjoy Matsumoto Castle, Sake tasting & Food in Nagano. Join this whirlwind walking tour of Nagano that combines Japanese culture, history, sake tasting & street food.

Snowmobile Adventure Itinerary: 9:00 AM – Meeting Point Pickup Begin your journey with a convenient pickup from the designated meeting point. 10:00 AM – Arrival at Sakae Snowmobile Location or arrival at Shiga Kogen Snowmobile Location (It depends on the weather conditions) Reach the scenic Sakae region, surrounded by stunning snow-covered landscapes. 10:25 AM – Preparation Time Gear up and receive a brief introduction to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience. 10:30 AM – Snowmobile Adventure Begins Embark on an exhilarating one-hour snowmobile ride through Sakae’s pristine trails. 12:00 PM – Snowmobiling Ends 12:15 PM – Onsen Experience Begins Relax and rejuvenate in a traditional onsen, soaking in the warm waters while surrounded by snow. 1:00 PM – Onsen Experience Ends Finish your relaxing onsen experience. 1:00 PM – Lunch Enjoy a delicious lunch with local specialties. 3:30 PM – Return to Meeting Point Enjoy a relaxed drop-off back at your starting location.

Discover the best of Nagano's winter wonderland on a private tour from Tokyo or Nagano. Visit the Snow Monkey Park, Zenkoji Temple, Shibu Onsen, and Matsushiro Castle Ruins.

Are you a Sake beginner or an expert? This Sake brewery private tour brings you not only to the world of Sake but also exclusive cultural experiences. I will take you to Ichinoya Sake Brewery, established in 1865, which still produces high quality Sake with traditional methods. You will see the house’s brewing process mostly by human hands with limited mechanicals, which is designated as Intangible Cultural Heritage by UNESCO in 2024. The tour includes; - Visiting Ichinoya Sake Brewery, discover how Sake is made - Sake and water tasting - Lunch with local ingredients over Ichinoya’s series of Sake at Wachigai restaurant, whose building is traditional Machiya style build in late Edo period, with great atmosphere - Shopping Sake and other local products - Pictures are taken throughout the tour and shared to the guests It starts at 11:00am and takes about 2~3 hours including lunch. Free after lunch. This tour can take at most 6 people. Tour is held only once a day.

Immerse yourself in the world of samurai with a sword-fighting experience and explore the historic Matsumoto Castle on a guided tour. See the castle illuminated in brilliant light and color at night.

You can enjoy to observe lovely wild monkeys bathing in an outdoor hot spring at Snow Monkey Park. Each monkey has different personality and it's quite fun to be able to watch them from very close. After the monkey park, we are visiting an old Shinto shrine called Togakushi shrine which has been one of the most important place for the mountain worship since ancient era. The shrine and precincts forest are all covered with thick snow during the winter season. However,by snowshoeing, it is the perfect opportunity to discover areas that are inaccessible any other time of the year. Frozen bodies of water and a heavy carpet of snow make otherwise untraversable terrain accessible. I will lead you to these undisturbed areas, so you can explore and appreciate the unspoiled nature around you. I'm a National Government licensed guide interpreter as well as licensed mountain trekking guide. Let's have a cup of coffee on the snow made table and chair 🙂

Discover the natural beauty of Karuizawa on a private tour from Tokyo. Visit the Shiraito Falls, the Karuizawa Kogen Church, the Karuizawa Stone Church, the Harunire Terrace, and the Kumoba Pond.

Dive into Nagano’s food culture with a hands-on cooking and walking experience. In a traditional Japanese house with a sunken hearth, you’ll learn how to make oyaki—a beloved local dumpling filled with seasonal vegetables or sweet bean paste—and enjoy them warm with soba tea by the fire. After the cooking session, stroll through the peaceful backstreets leading to Zenkoji Temple. Discover small, locally owned shops, taste unique regional flavors, and learn about Japanese dining customs and everyday culture from your guide. ・Make two oyaki dumplings and enjoy them with soba tea in a traditional Japanese hearth house ・Explore Nagano’s backstreets on the way to Zenkoji Temple ・Discover local flavors and learn about Japanese dining culture ・Meet small business owners and hear stories of the neighborhood *Please let us know if you have any food restrictions beforehand*

Fully customiseable & Explore the scenic beauty, historic sites, and cultural treasures of Nagano on a private car day tour. Customize your itinerary to suit your preferences and interests.

Embark on an unforgettable journey that combines nature, culture, and culinary delights in Nagano! This experience takes you to see the famous Snow Monkeys relaxing in their natural hot springs, offering a unique opportunity to observe these playful creatures up close. Next, explore the charming town of Obuse, known for its sake production, where you’ll enjoy a guided sake tasting that showcases the rich flavors of this local specialty. Visit the stunning Zenko-ji Temple, one of Japan's most revered Buddhist sites, where you’ll immerse yourself in its serene atmosphere and rich history. Finally, savor a delicious Monzen Terrace lunch featuring locally sourced ingredients that highlight the best of Nagano’s culinary offerings. This combination of scenic beauty, cultural exploration, and delectable dining makes for an enriching day you won’t miss. Book your experience now to create lasting memories in this beautiful region of Japan!

Enjoy having Oyaki in front of a traditional Japanese sunken hearth, Sake tasting and also you have local sweets & Matcha tea as we walk through Zenkoji temple’s town and back street area in Nagano.

・Start the tour with a safe ride along the lakeside bike path to get used to the e-bike's controls. ・Drink the natural water from the lake coming from 200 metres below the ground. Take your own bottle with you on tour if you have one! ・Enjoy a pleasant cycling experience while feeling the highland breezes and mountain views. Our bikes make it easy to ride up even steep hills which looks impossible to climb! ・A downhill section will take you all the way down the Venus Line! Feel like your on a rollercoaster thrill ride that's sure to refresh you! ・Take the bike path through the forest. A spectacular view awaits you.

Explore Luxury rides with an expert English & Italian speaking driver. Customize your itinerary with pickup and drop-off at your hotel WiFi hotspot highway tax fuel & complimentary water tea or coffee

Get to know the city through the eyes of a passionate local. With no set itinerary, you can customize the tour or leave it up to the local for an insightful introduction to the city. Make travel about the people you meet not just the places you see.

Embark on a day of Japanese heritage: shop at Karuizawa Outlets, wander through Himekoji Shrine's mystical paths, and step back in time in Kawagoe's old town. A day to remember!

Situated between the popular destinations of Tokyo and Kyoto, the mountainous of region of Nagano is the literal heart of Japan and a road less travelled by many international visitors. This tour combines some of the region’s most iconic destinations - including the world-famous Snow Monkeys of Jigokudani, the 1400-year old Zenko-ji Temple, Matsumoto Castle, and the historic old town of Takayama - with the unforgettable experience of being driven through Japan’s Northern Alps, a place of high mountain peaks and rarefied beauty. With English-speaking guide, lunch, and full-service accommodation on Day 1 followed by hotel pick-up and transport to Matsumoto and Takayama, including hotel drop-off, on Day 2, this tour captures the history and beauty of central Japan with the convenience and comfort of one easy package.

This tour includes a visit to [Togakushi Shrine] and [Zenkoji Temple] as a fixed itinerary, with the [lunch+ dinner] Please see below for details on each experience.

Join our tour for a night out to feel like you are residents. Unlike Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto, it will be very difficult to find where the locals go to eat and drink in Nagano. Your local expert guides will take you to the nice Izakaya and backstreet bars, such as Jazz bar, Whiskey bar in Nagano city, where you can chill out and drink to continue the evening. ・More than 5 dishes + Noodles(such as Soba) ・2 Drinks included in tour price ・Local expert, personable English-speaking guides ・Hidden bar and introductions. Please let us know if you have any food restrictions beforehand.